Stall out on a steep climb, and you dont want to burn the clutch to restart.

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Methinks you'd burn your starter instead!

If there is a failure in the clutch mechanism out in the boonies, you can restart the vehicle in gear (on a flat) and get home by power shifting. Happened more often with a clutch cable system, but it does happen.

If there is a failure in the clutch mechanism out in the boonies, you can restart the vehicle in gear (on a flat) and get home by power shifting. Happened more often with a clutch cable system, but it does happen.

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That makes sense- Stalling on the steep hill and using the clutch start cancel seems like a wash-It's a trick to start in gear on a flat....Up hill...holy cow.

I'll just stick to using mine to start the truck in neutral when I don't want to get into the drivers seat.

I think the only additional strain or wear would be on the starter itself, because it's not only turning the engine, but the transmission and rear end, too. Which is why it's supposed to be used for special situations, such as the mud pit mentioned by hashemg. I could also see it being helpful if you were to stall on a boat ramp.

Starting on hills or while stuck and in gear is what it was DESIGNED for. That's the soul reason Toyota put it in. They even advertise it that way. They sure don't list it for "starting without getting in the truck."

And for the few seconds it takes to get your truck going it's not going to burn anything out. And honestly, does anyone wheel enough and get stuck enough to use it enough times to damage anything? I use it all the time to start the truck without getting in, but have never once needed it on any of the trails I've been on. So wear and tear is a non-issue.

My Corolla always needed the clutch mashed to the floor to start, and sometimes the floor mats got in the way. I bypassed it be unhooking the plug from the switch behind the pedal, and jamming a U shaped piece of metal into the plugs. Something like a staple or piece of a paper clip, and black tape around it. Been like that for 7 years now.

i have the clutch cancel on 4x4 08 which i used all the time for starting when i did not want to get into the truck. i have since bypassed the clutch since i installed a remote starter alarm and yes i always leave it in neutral.

if you want i can tell you how to do it with a simple relay and push button or toggle switch

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It could probably also be done with a simple switch to close the circuit. Not sure how the Toyota switch is wired, but you could unhook the wires from the clutch button. Then run both wires to a switch that closes the connection. You could either cut both wires requiring you to use the switch/button to start or splice into them to allow either way: switch or clutch pedal.